Method of lining a surface with a geosynthetic clay liner

ABSTRACT

A heavy roll dispenser is designed to attach to a tractor via a three-point hitch. The base of the dispenser rides above the earth and supports a chassis, which can move left and right via a hydraulic actuator. The chassis has a pair of powered cradle rollers to receive a heavy roll and dispense the heavy roll with the powered cradle rollers. A guide roller is mounted on the chassis behind the cradle rollers. A pair of powered adjustable width pincer arms stabilizes the heavy roll atop the cradle rollers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/056,850filed Jan. 24, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,446.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tractor drawn dispenser for largegeosynthetic rolls, which are used to line and cap landfills and otherenvironmentally sensitive areas construction and rubbish ditches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern artificial landfills or dumpsites are excavated from sand,gravel, clay and other natural raw materials. Regulatory requirementscall for the lining of such landfills to prevent seepage of contaminantsinto the ground. Once the landfill is full the top of the landfill mustalso be sealed before landscaping begins. Usually one of the lining is ageosynthetic clay liner (GCL) which comes in a large roll about 12–16.5feet wide to 135–150 feet long. The roll weighs about 2200 to 3200pounds.

Prior art systems to lay out the GCL include threading the roll onto asupport rod and pulling the rod via a rigid beam and chains. U.S. Pat.No. 6,264,400 B1 (2001) to Gent teaches a three point mounted tractorframework which holds the GCL roll. The roll must be placed on theground, then the framework must be backed over the roll, then the axlefor the roll must be affixed to the framework. Once the roll isinstalled in the framework, then the tractor can move forward todispense the roll. Since no power assist is associated with the axle forthe roll, some means of anchoring the trailing end must be used to causethe roll to unfurl when the tractor moves forward. Usually two or threemen must stand on the trailing end. A telescoping framework canaccommodate various width rolls. A hydraulic ram can steer the frameworkleft and right by means of a control stick to adjust the overlap of theGCL liner as it unfurls. The giant roll can walk side to side on thecore support bar causing an inaccurate laying of the roll.

The present invention allows loading a heavy roll even on a slopedgrade. A fork lift with a stinger bar shown in FIG. 3 or an equivalentcan lower the roll onto receiving rollers on a framework, which isattached to a tractor preferably by a three-point hitch. The rollers arepowered to automatically unroll the bulk sheet which is also called ablanket. This feature removes the necessity of men standing on atrailing end. In reverse a bulk sheet can be retrieved from the ground.This feature can prevent ruining material in a rainstorm. Side shiftcontrol of the roll is handled with a transverse movement of thereceiving rollers. The feature maintains the proper alignment of theframework on the three-point hitch. Further side to side control isprovided by two anti-travel adjustable alignment arms. Also the presentinvention eliminates the need for a roll core support bar (also called acore pipe). This core pipe can weigh several hundred pounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide a heavy rolldispenser, which allows a top loading of the roll, thereby improvingproductivity.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a powereddispenser and rewind capability to the dispenser with anti-travelalignment arms which also serve to stabilize side to side movement ofthe roll.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a variable widthroll capability to the dispenser.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a side-to-sideshift adjustment mechanism to the dispenser, which maintains a properalignment of the roll behind the pulling tractor.

Another aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the need for acore pipe in the roll.

Other aspects of this invention will appear from the followingdescription and appended claims, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

A generally rectangular framework has a front face, which connects to atractor in a standard 3-point hitch configuration. The frameworksupports a pair of powered receiving rollers upon which a largesynthetic roll is placed. The powered rollers can dispense or rewind theroll. The entire powered roller assembly is mounted within the frameworkon a track, which enables about two feet of side-to-side steerage of theroll as it unfurls. Various width rolls are accommodated usingadjustable roller end supports which sandwich the roll between them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a top perspective view of a landfill being linedin the known manner using a loader.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment loadedwith a roll and attached to a tractor.

FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2 with the roll being top loaded via aforklift and stinger bar.

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 2 with the roll feeding off the poweredcradle rollers.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view with cutaway showing the rotatable rollsuspension arm.

FIG. 7 is a right side plan view of the preferred embodiment showing aroll in dots.

FIG. 8 is a left side plan view showing the outside of the driveassembly for the cradle rollers.

FIG. 9 is the same view as FIG. 8 with the drive assembly cover removed.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangement shown, sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a landfill pit 11 being lined in the known manner with theuse of a loader 14 operating in reverse in direction A. The roll 13 islaid in strips 12 by the driver. Both with this shovel dragging methodand the Gent '400 method, if the roll runs out on a slope S1, S2, S3, S4then the driver must proceed to a flat portion of ground, usually awayfrom the pit 11 in order to pick up a new roll on level ground. Loadinga 3000-pound roll on a slope S1, S2, S3, S4 is dangerous since the heavyroll could take off down the incline. Since the pits 11 are oftenenormous, the downtime of driving the shovel or tractor away from thepit to re-load on a flat surface is expensive.

Referring next to FIGS. 2,3,4 the top-loading feature of the dispenser20 is best shown in FIG. 3, a forklift 21 can deliver the roll 13 to thetractor 22 even on an incline. The lifting fork 23 supports the roll 13until the cradle rollers 24,25 receive the roll. At that time thelifting fork 23 is retracted and the left and right (L and R) adjustablealignment arms 26,27 are moved into place to sandwich the roll 13 atopthe cradle rollers 24,25, thus preventing the roll from walking as it isunrolled. Next the cradle rollers 24,25 are powered to unroll a trailingedge 40 of the roll 13 over the guide roller 41.

A chassis 42 supports the cradle rollers 24, 25 via their respectiveaxles 43 o, 44 o. The chassis can slide left and right under hydraulicpower on a base 43. The base 43 hitches to a tractor in a known mannersuch as a three-point hitch (not shown). Since the cradle rollers 24, 25are powered, the roll 13 can be unfurled without the necessity ofstanding workmen on the trailing end 40. Also in a sudden rainstorm apartially unfurled roll can be rewound and covered to protect it fromthe rain. Most GCL rolls specify unfurling in a dry environment.

Referring next to FIG. 5 the base 43 has a hydraulic piston 50, which isattached to the chassis 42. While laying the roll 13 the driver can movethe chassis 42 left and right (L and R) about a foot relative to thebase 43 while the base 43 remains in a constant alignment in thethree-point hitch with the tractor 22. All hydraulic lines are shown bydots.

The chassis 42 supports a left hydraulic piston 51 which powers the leftsupport arm 26 and a right hydraulic piston 52, which powers the rightsupport arm 27. A safety rail 53 may be attached to the base 43. Ahydraulic motor 54 drives the drive train assembly 55, which powers thecradle rollers 24, 25. Equivalent drive systems would include tractorhydraulics, ground wheel take off mechanism and/or an electric motor.

Referring next to FIGS. 5,7 the actual support means between the base 43and the chassis 42 is shown to be a pair of lateral support rails 4200mounted to the chassis. These support rails 4200 slide in grooves invertical posts 4300. Referring next to FIGS. 6,7 the operation of thesupport arms 26, 27 is shown. Rolls 13 come in various widths. As theroll 13 unfurls it reduces its diameter. Therefore, the support arms 26,27 must adjust both for adjustable spacing between them and up and down.Telescoping pole 66 travels up and down as shown by arrows V and D inFIG. 7. When a new roll is loaded onto cradle rollers 24, 25 thehydraulic piston 51 is retracted to rotate the telescoping pole 66clockwise C, thereby moving the brace 67 to the side as shown in dots inFIG. 6. To engage the hollow end 60 of the roll 13, the telescoping pole66 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6. Thenose 69 of axle 68 then engages the hollow end 60 of the roll 13.

Referring next to FIGS. 8,9 the cover 80 shields the hydraulic motor 54and the drive train assembly 81. The drive gear 90 rotates clockwise Cto drive via chains 93 the cradle roller gears 91,92 clockwise C,thereby unfurling the roll 13 (not shown). Reverse operation isaccomplished by reversing the motor 54.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be madeand still the result will come within the scope of the invention. Nolimitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein isintended or should be inferred.

1. A method of lining a surface by dispensing a roll of a geosyntheticclay liner over said surface comprising: top loading a roll of saidgeosynthetic liner onto a pair of cradle rollers that are supported by adispenser chassis, at least one of said cradle rollers being driven by amotor for unrolling the roll of geosynthetic clay liner onto saidsurface, said dispenser chassis being carried by a moving base, fordispensing said roll of geosynthetic clay liner during movement oversaid surface; said dispenser chassis including a transverse mountingassembly including a powered actuator for moving the roll ofgeosynthetic clay liner transversely left and right with respect to adirection of said moving base while dispensing said geosynthetic clayliner onto said surface, wherein the chassis is powered by left andright powered actuators, each actuator powered by a hydraulic piston. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the chassis further comprises a guideroller and said geosynthetic clay liner is dispensed over the guideroller onto said surface.
 3. A method of lining a surface by dispensinga roll of a geosynthetic clay liner over said surface comprising: toploading a roll of said geosynthetic liner onto a pair of cradle rollersthat are supported by a dispenser chassis, at least one of said cradlerollers being driven by a motor for unrolling the roll of geosyntheticclay liner onto said surface, said dispenser chassis being carried by amoving base, for dispensing said roll of geosynthetic clay liner duringmovement over said surface; said dispenser chassis including atransverse mounting assembly including a powered actuator for moving theroll of geosynthetic clay liner transversely left and right with respectto a direction of said moving base while dispensing said geosyntheticclay liner onto said surface, wherein the chassis further comprises apair of adjustable width alignment arms and including the step ofsandwiching the roll of geosynthetic clay liner to be dispensed betweenthe alignment arms.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each adjustablewidth alignment arm further comprises and up/down telescoping poleincluding a roller brace and a hydraulic piston to rotate thetelescoping pole, and including the step of moving the roller braces toa proper position to load the roll, and then moving each roller brace toengage an end of the roll to be dispensed.
 5. The method of claim 3,wherein each member of the pair of adjustable width alignment armsfurther comprises a powered rotatable telescoping post, said post havinga support arm for structure that engages an end of the roll, andincluding the steps of rotating the adjustable width alignment arms sothat the support arms rotate in a direction so that the alignment armsrotate away from the cradle rollers; top loading the roll ofgeosynthetic clay liner onto the cradle rollers; and then rotating thealignment arms in a direction so that each support arm moves in adirection toward the roll of geosynthetic clay liner to structurallyengage the roll of geosynthetic clay liner at an end of the roll, priorto dispensing the geosynthetic clay liner onto the surface.
 6. A methodof lining a surface by dispensing a single roll of a geosynthetic clayliner over said surface comprising: top loading a geosynthetic clayliner consisting of said single roll of said geosynthetic clay lineronto a pair of cradle rollers that are supported by a dispenser chassis,at least one of said cradle rollers being driven by a motor forunrolling the roll of geosynthetic clay liner onto said surface, saiddispenser chassis being carried by a moving base, for dispensing saidroll of geosynthetic clay liner during movement over said surface; saiddispenser chassis including a transverse mounting assembly including apowered actuator for moving the roll of geosynthetic clay linertransversely left and right with respect to a direction of said movingbase while dispensing said geosynthetic clay liner onto said surface,wherein the chassis is powered by left and right powered actuators, eachactuator powered by a hydraulic piston.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the chassis further comprises a guide roller and saidgeosynthetic clay liner is dispensed over the guide roller onto saidsurface.
 8. A method of lining a surface by dispensing a single roll ofa geosynthetic clay liner over said surface comprising: top loading ageosynthetic clay liner consisting of said single roll of saidgeosynthetic clay liner onto a pair of cradle rollers that are supportedby a dispenser chassis, at least one of said cradle rollers being drivenby a motor for unrolling the roll of geosynthetic clay liner onto saidsurface, said dispenser chassis being carried by a moving base, fordispensing said roll of geosynthetic clay liner during movement oversaid surface; said dispenser chassis including a transverse mountingassembly including a powered actuator for moving the roll ofgeosynthetic clay liner transversely left and right with respect to adirection of said moving base while dispensing said geosynthetic clayliner onto said surface, wherein the chassis further comprises a pair ofadjustable width alignment arms and including the step of sandwichingthe roll of geosynthetic clay liner to be dispensed between thealignment arms.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein each adjustable widthalignment arm further comprises and up/down telescoping pole including aroller brace and a hydraulic piston to rotate the telescoping pole, andincluding the step of moving the roller braces to a proper position toload the roll, and then moving each roller brace to engage an end of theroll to be dispensed.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein each member ofthe pair of adjustable width alignment arms further comprises a poweredrotatable telescoping post, said post having a support arm for structurethat engages an end of the roll, and including the steps of rotating theadjustable width alignment arms so that the support arms rotate in adirection so that the alignment arms rotate away from the cradlerollers; top loading the roll of geosynthetic clay liner onto the cradlerollers; and then rotating the alignment arms in a direction so thateach support arm moves in a direction toward the roll of geosyntheticclay liner to structurally engage the roll of geosynthetic clay liner atan end of the roll, prior to dispensing the geosynthetic clay liner ontothe surface.
 11. A method of lining a surface by dispensing rolls of ageosynthetic clay liner, one at a time, over said surface comprising:top loading a roll of said geosynthetic play liner onto a pair of cradlerollers that are supported by a dispenser chassis, at least one of saidcradle rollers being driven by a motor for unrolling the roll ofgeosynthetic clay liner onto said surface, said dispenser chassis beingcarried by a moving base, for dispensing said roll of geosynthetic clayliner during movement over said surface; said dispenser chassisincluding a transverse mounting assembly including a powered actuatorfor moving the roll of geosynthetic clay liner transversely left andright with respect to a direction of said moving base while dispensing afirst layer of said geosynthetic clay liner onto said surface; afterdispensing said first layer of the geosynthetic clay liner, dispensing asecond layer of the geosynthetic clay liner onto an area of said surfaceadjacent to the first layer of said geosynthetic clay liner, whileoperating the powered actuator motor to properly position the secondlayer thereby overlapping the first and second layers of thegeosynthetic clay liner, wherein the chassis is powered by left andright powered actuators, each actuator powered by a hydraulic piston.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the chassis further comprises aguide roller and said geosynthetic clay liner is dispensed over theguide roller onto said surface.
 13. A method of lining a surface bydispensing rolls of a geosynthetic clay liner, one at a time, over saidsurface comprising: top loading a roll of said geosynthetic clay lineronto a pair of cradle rollers that are supported by a dispenser chassis,at least one of said cradle rollers being driven by a motor forunrolling the roll of geosynthetic clay liner onto said surface, saiddispenser chassis being carried by a moving base, for dispensing saidroll of geosynthetic clay liner during movement over said surface; saiddispenser chassis including a transverse mounting assembly including apowered actuator for moving the roll of geosynthetic clay linertransversely left and right with respect to a direction of said movingbase while dispensing a first layer of said geosynthetic clay liner ontosaid surface; after dispensing said first layer of the geosynthetic clayliner, dispensing a second layer of the geosynthetic clay liner onto anarea of said surface adjacent to the first layer of said geosyntheticclay liner, while operating the powered actuator motor to properlyposition the second layer thereby overlapping the first and secondlayers of the geosynthetic clay liner, wherein the chassis furthercomprises a pair of adjustable width alignment arms and including thestep of sandwiching the roll of geosynthetic clay liner to be dispensedbetween the alignment arms.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein eachadjustable width alignment arm further comprises and up/down telescopingpole including a roller brace and a hydraulic piston to rotate thetelescoping pole, and including the step of moving the roller braces toa proper position to load the roll, and then moving each roller brace toengage an end of the roll to be dispensed.